Groundwater remediation is a concern for more than just remediation professionals. Real estate transactions are affected by contaminated land and courses are offered which will help both property owners and real estate agents understand not only how land is affected, but also the methods and costs involved in improving the soil. Insurance assessors and municipal officials will also find benefit from these courses. On a higher level, courses are offered for hydrologists, groundwater engineers, environmental engineers and other related professionals who have already had some level of training in the subject and wish to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies.
At the beginning level, the courses teach what types of toxins are considered to be contaminants and how they alter the soil and living conditions. The classes then teach what types of remediation methods are used on different types of pollutants as well as the efficacy, time, labor and cost involved. For those professionals who have already learned the basics, higher level instruction is available covering subjects that include soil vapor extraction techniques, land treatment assessment, efficacy of bioventing and chemical oxidation systems design. At the end of the course, the student will have a greater knowledge of how to cost-effectively reclaim soil contaminated by heavy metals, recalcitrant organics and other problematic factors.
Due to world-wide awareness of ecological concerns, courses in groundwater remediation are offered across the globe by scientists and professional organizations. In the United States, the National Ground Water Association offers courses that lean towards professionals with a background in groundwater remediation education or professional knowledge. Some groups conduct regular seminars either at pre-existing conferences or as in-house training for firms. In some cases, courses are offered as part of a degree program in a college or university and may require a level of prerequisites.
A typical seminar in groundwater remediation will begin at around $1,400. Many courses are taught in a seminar format and may not be local, so you should also factor in travel costs. Some programs are taught over a course of several days or a week, and hotel fees as well as meals should be factored into the outlay. In some cases, the company or organization sponsoring the conference will reserve a block of rooms at a local hotel and offer them at a reduced rate to attendees who book in advance. If the course is taken as part of a degree program in school, the fees will be found in the school's catalogue and are generally charged per credit level.